Power Gays Behind 'MILK' Present Rainbow Gay Pride Banner To Russian Gay Community In St. Petersburg

What law against "gay propaganda," bomb threats and building evacuations?

MILK's esteemed screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, director Gus Van Sant and producer Bruce Cohen were on hand at the Side By Side LGBT Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, over the weekend, where they courageously presented a large rainbow gay pride banner to the local community.

The MILK team presented a gift to the festival: a hand sewn rainbow flag with the words SUPPORT RUSSIAN GAYS created by Gilbert Baker – the creator of the rainbow flag.

Several months ago, the Side by Side Film Festival asked GLAAD to help them invite entertainment industry leaders to show solidarity with Russian LGBT people by attending the film festival. Van Sant, Black, and Cohen jumped at the chance to be present, despite the challenges of anti-LGBT sentiment in Russia. They spoke to the audience about Russia's current situation and compared it to the not-so-distant past of the United States.

Van Sant noted that despite significant advances in the USA in the recognition of LGBT rights the situation was not perfect and there was still a lot of work to be done.

Black and Cohen reiterated their solidarity for the LGBT community in Russia, to stand by their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters and not let crimes committed against them to be ignored but condemned and the perpetrators made accountable for their actions. Cohen continues to bring Harvey Milk's life and message to the public with his production of Andrew Lippa's oratorio "I Am Harvey Milk."